The centipede lunged forward, its venom-dripping fangs aimed at the adventurers.
Jack braced behind his shield, but the impact sent him skidding backward, his boots digging into the dirt. The mage fired another spell, and the rogue slashed wildly at its legs, but the monster wasn't going down.
It was too fast, too tough, and worst of all—still angry.
The tiny chicken watched from the bushes, heart pounding.
"Okay. Okay. I can do this. I've survived worse. I fought a snake. I lived."
He took a deep breath.
Then—
"I am NOT dying here!"
With all the force his tiny legs could muster, he leaped out of the bush.
—
BOOM! The Egg Bomb Strikes!
The adventurers barely had time to react before something small and round flew through the air—right at the centipede's ugly face.
SPLAT.
A single white egg hit the monster between the eyes.
Everyone stared.
The centipede blinked in confusion.
Jack's jaw dropped. "…Did that chicken just—"
BOOM!
The egg exploded in a fiery blast, sending chunks of exoskeleton flying.
The centipede screeched, its body thrashing wildly in pain. Smoke rose from its wounded face, its beady red eyes flickering in agony.
Jack snapped out of his shock. "NOW! HIT IT WITH EVERYTHING!"
The adventurers rushed in, unleashing their strongest attacks. The rogue dashed forward, his daggers slicing through weakened armor. The mage launched an inferno of fire spells, and Jack raised his shield before delivering a final, earth-shaking bash that cracked the monster's skull.
The centipede collapsed, motionless.
A silence fell over the battlefield.
The adventurers panted, exhausted.
And then, all at once, their heads turned—to the tiny chicken standing proudly atop a rock.
—
Divine Beast…?!
The young healer of the group—a wide-eyed girl with silver hair—clapped her hands together in excitement.
"Is… Is that a divine beast?! A sacred battle chicken?"
Jack, still catching his breath, looked between the dead centipede and the completely unharmed Level 5 chicken standing there like some kind of legendary warrior.
"…It has to be," he muttered.
The rogue scoffed. "You're telling me we almost died fighting that thing, and a damn chicken finished it off?"
The mage pushed up her glasses, eyeing him suspiciously. "It's not normal. That explosion came from an egg. Chickens don't throw exploding eggs."
Jack nodded solemnly. "Then it's settled. We have encountered a divine beast."
The healer's eyes sparkled.
"I—I must contract it! A divine beast partner is every summoner's dream!"
She hurried forward, kneeling before him.
"Oh great and noble chicken, please grant me the honor of being your partner!"
She raised her hands, casting a contract spell. A magic circle glowed beneath them.
The chicken stared.
Then he turned around and started walking away.
The healer panicked. "W-Wait! No, you have to stay in the circle!"
The chicken kept walking.
The spell fizzled out.
Everyone watched in silence as the "divine beast" casually left the battlefield.
The rogue sighed. "…That's a no, kid."
The healer sniffled. "B-But… but why?"
Jack crossed his arms. "Because it is a being of higher wisdom."
The mage frowned. "…Or it's just a chicken."
Jack ignored her. "Let us respect its choice. The divine beast walks its own path."
—
Meanwhile, in the Forest…
The chicken walked faster, muttering curses.
"Divine beast, my ass! I am a chicken! A CHICKEN! Why the hell is my life like this?!"
But the system was silent.
With a deep sigh, he shook off the weird encounter and focused on his next goal.
Leveling up.
If a stupid giant bug almost killed him, he needed more power.
He flapped his wings.
"…Alright. Time to farm."